by Bryan Lowe
“Religious people love to hide behind religion. They love the rules of religion more than they love Jesus. With practice, Condemners let rules become more important than the spiritual life. “
— Michael Yaconelli
“We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. … That is Christianity. That is what has to be believed.”
–C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
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People with mental illnesses, for the most part, have been diverted underground. We have been pushed into hiding our true identity; we can come out into the open, but only if we agree to play according to the rules–their rules. We are expected to censor ourselves, and say proper things at the right time. Pharisees [who are alive and well] insist on a level of purity that all must maintain. [Hey, I am not picking on anyone, it's just a generality.]
If I say that I am depressed, paranoid, manic or desperate I will upset the apple cart and muddle up everything. “Truth? You can’t handle the truth?”, [from the movie, "A Few Good Men".] But if we use our shortcomings as credentials, we have the ability to speak about grace, love and of self-acceptance, with authority.
Christians with mental illnesses, have been given a gift that we are to share with the Church. The Holy Spirit has sprinkled us into each fellowship of believers. He places us as we are suffering into strategic places. Our “gifts” are to speak to the Body, spiritually about a lot of things, but especially grace.
If our fellowships become religious, it is usually because we in our weaknesses, we have allowed ourselves to be silenced into submission by the “interpreters” of scripture. If we don’t like the rules, we are told to go elsewhere. We are not welcome.
But don’t you see, that is our moment to shine! Our “unsightly” presence shouts out to the “wonderful” people, proclaiming grace in weakness. Those who receive us, in a way, receive Him. Those who turn from us, muffling us, are doing that to Jesus. Frightening, isn’t it? It’s interesting to note the those who do not believe yet have often used “legalism” as the reason for their decision.
I would strongly suggest that we take our illnesses into the open. That we become transparent before others. As we do this, we can ‘oh-so-gently’ guide our fellowships into true grace and love. They look at me and they see Jesus. And that is our ministry as mentally ill people to the Church. Our weaknesses are really our strengths.
9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (HCSB)
“The gospel is either radical, or it is nothing” — Me
I’m pretty mentally ill right now with depression, religious OCD/Scrupulosity, and the horrible strange feeling of depersonalization. As accepting as my Church is of all of this, I’m not of myself. I need to be more open about my disorder/illness to people that can provide me inspiration and truth in my weakness. This speaks so much truth into my life. You’ve really been a blessing.
TY Joseph. Your opening up will bring healing to yourself and others. Like a musty basement, we do better with the sunshine drying things up. I suggest being slow, often healing comes in increments. Be patient with yourself. There are almost 1000 posts here, read what fits.
Are you on meds? Seeing a therapist? A pastor?
ybic, Bryan
For sure, patience and acceptance is key. I’m not on any meds, but I am seeing a therapist and a pastor which helps me cope with everything. I don’t quite understand my life right now. It seems like all confusion, but I just keep holding on for the ride.
Hi there
Does anyone know of any Christian Mental Health ministries, either in Australia or elsewhere?
many thanks
Zoë
No, but I think CBN.org would be a resource and a reference point.
Thank you for sharing this. As the spouse of a believer who has a mental illness, I can also relate–even though this post was intended for those who have mental illnesses. I think each of us can receive the Lord’s grace and find that He is sufficient for each day. Many times the “day to day” is hard, but ultimately, God is good.
Dear Bryan,
What a blessing to read this site. I stumbled over it when googling William Cowper. may the Lord continue to strengthen and guide you in this fantastically important ministry.
(From England)
Ed Ball
thank you for this encouraging post. i have Bipolar and panic disorder and really have been struggling with going thru it alone cause people don’t usually care to stick around very long. i am thankful for the few that have and pray i can encourage other broken believers and air on the side of grace because i am a living testimony of His grace.
We really do need a little different approach. We’ve been waiting for you, and you’re now in the midst of brothers and sisters.
ybic, Bryan
I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar schizoaffective since I was 20 years old. I deal a lot with self-condemnation. I struggle in areas and fear God is mad at me because I can’t seem to find my way out of the sin. Finding a place to simply express this frustration without being judged is important. Deep down I have a feeling that God is using this to mend me and make me stronger than I’ve ever been. But right now I’m experiencing tremendous amounts of guilt, shame, and worry. I pray God bless you wonderfully.
Dear One, condemning yourself is an ugly habit to fall into. The more we do it, the more desperate it gets. It is something we do to destroy ourselves. Your concern about God’s anger directed at you is completely invalid. He poured out His anger on the Lord Jesus. He chose to be assaulted, in order to bring us life.
You’ll always be welcome here, on this site. I definitely hope that all you face in here will only strengthen you, giving you power.
I have watched myself slowly lose both my faith and my mental stability over the past three or four years, and am now at the point of resolve with myself that I know undoubtedly that the Lord wants to and will assist me with my spirits of fear and worry. My problem being is that i am having an unnaturally tough time coping with self condemnation. Part of the problem is my obsession with begging for forgiveness instead of resting in God’s grace… ignoring paranoia is a trial, but forgiving myself seems insurmountable lately. I am not handicapped in the reasoning department, which is what has been consuming me. I need to stop using worldly reasoning on God and matters of the spirit. I don’t necessarily know what to ask at the moment, but I am becoming overwhelmed… Pray for me, if nothing else.
thank you
We seem to struggle through so much. Our issues are dealt with by our Father. All we need to do is to turn toward Him. I will pray for you. Jesus’ presence is going to meet you.
thank you for your time… I am only 24 years old, and knowing that a good deal of my mental health issues could have been avoided by my own actions is hard to cope with, but I am finding rest in God. Thank you for you prayers. There are big events going on in the world concerning our faith, and I appreciate the attention you have allowed yourself to give to the ill and weak like me… Bless you and I’ll be praying for you too.
Learning to completely forgive yourself can result in a dark, and deep sadness. Some of us have created a deep evil in the things we have done. Yet others have found a deep and definite release from all our past sins. You have to choose. And I can’t really help you when you come to this point. Please, dear one– choose wisely.
Zach, something just tells me that as you seek Him, He will show you mighty and tremendous things!
As I reread your note, I’m struck by this. You need to connect, by your active and find a sincere presence, a relationship with Him! He will ask you to press into this, and much will have to be beaten out of you. But, dear one– press through this “small” issue and He will take you higher.
Thank you, brother, i’ve needed some words of encouragement to that extent, and it truly is a blessing to physically receive them, as opposed to reasoning it internally. I have had a long history of pulling heartstrings within good people, the only problem being I tend to not be steadfast in my own decision making process, which is definately not the way to shine the good light. I truly hope you also find some resolution within yourself, you are a most deserving person from my perspective, and I’m sure our Father has a similar judgement for you. I have made a few leaps in improvement since I first corresponded with you. Im still struggling, but I have found some rest. Thank you and bless you Bryan.
pastor,Bryan,
Estou muito triste porque além de cuidar minha mãe acamada e idosa, ainda tenho uma preocupação com minha irmã que tem diagnóstico de depressão e bipolar. Peço orientação (ela faz tratamento clínico com psicanalista e medicamentos), mas eu acho que nada é impossível para Deus. Só ELE pode curar esta e outras doenças. ELa já esteve melhor apenas com oração , mas a igreja que ela frequenta não sabe orar por isso.Ajude-me, por favor. Estou muito cansada. obrigada. Deus o abençoe mais e mais. Cristina
cristina_bidel@hotmail.com
Once when I prayed and told God that I felt something was wrong because I didn’t ‘reflect Jesus’ in my life, I sensed that He answered me by saying, “You DO reflect Christ. I said that whatever you do unto the least of these my children, you have done it on to me. You are the least of these; you are their opportunity to serve me.” That’s not a word-for-word quote, but quite close. I suspected that maybe I had thought up a self-serving answer, until I read this piece in your blog. You have put it so well. Thank you.
Carol, I’m so glad this connected with you, in this particular way. You are blessing me.
My 17 year old daughter has been diagnosed with borderline personality tendencies. We are in counseling and want to help. What else can we do? Please pray for her. Her name is Nicole. Pray for wisdom and peace of mind for my husband and me.
Not so much “doing” but being. There can often be a hyper-paranoid reaction to any activity on your part that she perceives. A parent’s sadness over their confused daughter is staggering. And we will often overcompensate. Keep pulling on that which enriches you deeply, maybe, rather then add something new, look at the sources you already have, but take it deeper than you already have.
I will be praying for Nicole. And I will lift up you as parents. I think I should add one thing more. Please try to find joy in the better moments. That joy and peace will give her a sense that things can be better. And she needs hope right now.
I don’t go to church anymore. I went for 20 years to the same church after the Lord healed me of alcoholism.
The reason I left, wasn’t because people didn’t know I had OCD, with demonic suggestions, and demonic torment and torture, but because no one could help me. The Bible said Jesus came to set the captives free. Before I worry about what a church thinks of me, I want to be free from the daily, minute by minute torment of OCD. God healed me of alcoholism, but my Ocd is so tormenting, I feel like a herd of pigs being driven off a cliff by the sheer desire to escape the unrelenting evil torment of OCD.
I love that you are saying these things, Bryan.
Thank you for this, my wife is mentally ill and we need prayers and all the truth we can find.
God Bless’
Paul
I sincerely hope you are finding it. Having a church that understands and helps is a true blessing. Also, look for doors that will open for you two to be a blessing to others. That is very important.
ybic,
Bryan
Dear One,
I can totally relate. You seem to have several issues going on at once. This is really hard. Give time for the meds to work. It took me 2 months before they went to work. Also, not being able to forgive yourself can be a lingering handicap. I know this as well. PA are pretty ugly as well. Expect the meds to work though, and to help you ease up. Find your own way to worship. This will keep you in a good place.
About the meds, you mentioned side effects. Most of the time, these will start to settle down. It’s like a ‘muddy creek,’ over time it will start running clearer as things start to settle.
Because you’re on meds, I assume that you are seeing either a psych doc your GP. If things heat up, you may consider a therapist. But wait and see. The next two months could be rough. A good pastor/elder is worth his/her weight in fine gold. A loving church is a big advantage as well. But granted, these relationships take a lot of time to build. But little steps are much better than no steps.
I’m here.
ybic, Bryan
Thanks for your reply pastor Bryan, I appreciate it. I went for so many deliverance prayers and inner healing courses and was so disappointed when none really helped me.
Like I said I sometimes struggle with my faith, but I know even though I’m struggling God is still a good God and will use anyone (even psychiatrists and therapists who are not Christians) in my process of getting better.
Thanks again and keep up the good work supporting those with mental illness who might think society and the church has given up on them. Even now, at our lowest point God is willing and able to bring breakthrough in our lives (Sometimes it’s just very difficult to ride out those storms that come our way!)
God bless.
Andries (South Africa)
Andries